Hungry like a Wolfe: RB very excited’ about increased work load

Reed Schreck

Friday

Nov 30, 2007 at 12:01 AMNov 30, 2007 at 1:07 AM

Garrett Wolfe isn't sure how game days will change for him. He knows practices already have. "I've gotten more reps," the rookie running back said after Wednesday's practice, the Chicago Bears' first without injured starter Cedric Benson. "In recent weeks, I've been getting more reps, and that's something I've been excited about.

Garrett Wolfe isn't sure how game days will change for him.
He knows practices already have.
"I've gotten more reps," the rookie running back said after Wednesday's practice, the Chicago Bears' first without injured starter Cedric Benson. "In recent weeks, I've been getting more reps, and that's something I've been excited about.
"I'm excited to go out there and contribute when called upon. That's what I plan on doing."
When, and for how long, we'll see. Offensive coordinator Ron Turner tentatively plans to spell new starter Adrian Peterson with Wolfe the way he had Peterson sub in for Benson, who broke his left leg Sunday against Denver and is out for the season. That means expect to see Wolfe in either the third or fourth series.
Regardless, Wolfe, the former Northern Illinois star, has moved up the depth chart.
"I'm very excited," said Wolfe, obviously an excitable guy.
He's also more comfortable, now that his rookie season is starting to be longer than a typical college year.
"That's something that only comes from repetitions in practice," he said. "I think I’ve been improving on a week to week basis, and that's all you can ask."
You can ask Turner.
"I'm looking forward to it," he said of being able to see more of Wolfe. "He has some speed and quickness. He hasn't really had a chance to play a lot."
Wolfe has nine carries for 31 yards, 25 coming at the end of the first half against the Broncos. That padded Wolfe's stats but didn't do much for his confidence.
"I think people are giving me a little too much credit," he said. "That's what's supposed to happen. It's the last seconds of the half, they have three D-linemen, I'm supposed to have a 25-yard run on that. So that was nothing special."
What Wolfe needs to improve on hasn't changed.
"Just knowing what everyone else is doing, as far as who's blocking whom, so I can become a better football player and make better cuts and things like that in the run game," he said. "My biggest concern in the run game is breaking tackles and doing more things after the line of scrimmage.
"I'm confident, but I have to make sure my teammates are confident and that everyone believes in me. If they don't, there's not going to be that much of an opportunity."
While Wolfe has waited months for his promotion, Peterson has waited a lot longer.
"Six years," he said with a smile. "I mean, honestly, six years. I'm not going to try to do anything special. It's the same role; I'm just starting the game and playing a role."
Peterson has 189 yards rushing on 52 carries (3.6 average), along with career highs in catches (33), yards (253) and long (37).
"I don't know if you'll see anything you don't now," Turner said of Peterson. "He's a solid, steady back who's going to be there and probably get better as the game goes on."
Head coach Lovie Smith said Peterson brings "the total package."
"Being a third-down back all of the season for us, that part we’ve seen him in that role," he said. "But just to see him now, he’s had flashes where he has carried the football and looked good doing it.
"But every running back wants to be the lead guy, and now he’s getting an opportunity to do that. Once you have success in a limited role, guys are supposed to get an opportunity to carry more of the load. He’s getting his chance."
Quarterback Rex Grossman doesn't expect much to change with Benson absent.
"Maybe a little bit more Garrett Wolfe out of necessity," he said. "But our offense is going to pretty much have the same type of plays and the same thought process."
Reed Schreck is the NFL writer for the Rockford Register Star. Contact him at 815-987-1381 or rschreck@rrstar.com.

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